How dangerous is it and can it interfere with the vaccine?

New variant of Coronavirus Confirmed in the United Kingdom, Health Minister Matt Hancock revealed on December 14 that the number was “rapidly increasing.”

He told Commons: “The first analysis suggests that this variety is growing faster than existing varieties.

“Currently, more than 1,000 cases of this subspecies have been identified, primarily in southern England, but nearly 60 different municipalities have identified cases.”

In the news that the British fight against the coronavirus may be hampered by its emergence New strain of illness, The Telegraph will answer your question.

What is a mutation? How dangerous is it?

The variant, called “VUI-202012 / 01,” has a series of mutations that include the N501Y mutation (a small slippery rod that attaches to human cells) to part of the gene sequence that forms the peaplomer. Changes in the shape of spike proteins can make the immune system harder to detect. The virus uses spike proteins to bind to the human ACE2 receptor.

Government scientists are studying it at the Porton Down Institute, but there is no evidence to suggest that it is likely to lead to serious illness. However, if it can bind more easily to human cells, it may spread faster and people may end up with higher viral loads.

However, there is currently no evidence that this variant (or any other variant studied so far) affects the severity of the disease.

What are the symptoms of a new strain of coronavirus?

At this point, the symptoms are similar to those of more familiar strains. Variants can be considered to have the same symptoms because they were usually found by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, which is performed only in people with the traditional symptoms of the virus.

How did you pick it up?

Government scientists performed a random genetic analysis of about 10% of PCR tests to discover new mutations. The Covid-19 Genomics UK (Cog-UK) consortium tracks new genetic variations as they spread and investigates whether these changes result in detectable changes in viral behavior and severity of Covid-19 infection. I will.

How many cases have been found and where are they?

To date, more than 1,000 cases have been found in 60 municipalities, primarily in southern England.

Is this the first mutation found?

No.Coronavirus mutates frequently Since the emergence of the virus in 2019, thousands of mutations have already occurred in the SARS-CoV-2 genome.

Scientists had already discovered as early as March that the virus had evolved into two major strains (called “L” and “S” types).

The older “S-type” appeared to be milder and less infectious, while the later-appearing “L-type” spread rapidly, accounting for about 70% of cases by spring.

Another subspecies (D614G) has also been detected in Western Europe and North America, and although it is easy to spread, it does not cause major illness.

A worrisome mutation called “cluster 5” was found on a Danish mink farm, killing 17 million animals.

Can it interfere with the vaccine?

Probably.Most coronavirus vaccines target peplomer proteins Used by viruses to latch into human cells.. Vaccines stimulate the body to detect spike proteins so that the immune system can detect the virus.

However, if the peplomer mutates, the body will not be able to recognize the virus and the vaccine may be ineffective.

Professor Calum Semple of the University of Liverpool said it was a “million-dollar question” whether the vaccine would be effective against new variants of the coronavirus, which he thinks.

Sage members told the BBC breakfast: “Some mutations occur in the key that the virus uses to unlock cells. This is seen in influenza every year, so the flu vaccine needs to be changed every year.”

“I think the vaccine is still pretty effective, with 95% effectiveness now. Even if you drop a few percentage points, it’s still good enough and better than many other vaccines on the market. Much better.

“And the next good news is that new vaccines are essentially like the emails we send to the immune system, and they are very easy to adjust.

“Therefore, if you know that the lock has changed only slightly, you can edit the email, change a word or two, and the vaccine will be ready in the next 6-8 weeks. You can be more focused on new stocks.

“This is not a disaster. This is not a breakdown of all our plans. This is what we expect from a new virus, which scientists and doctors have come to understand and I. Will adapt. “”

However, the deployment of vaccination can lead to the selection of mutations that allow the virus to escape the effects of the vaccine.

Are experts worried?

Most scientists downplay this development because most of the mutations found so far have not proven to be more deadly. Some variants are actually less aggressive and many disappear.

In November, UCL scientists published a study showing that no mutations have ever increased transmission rates.

Professor Tom Solomon, director of the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases at the University of Liverpool, said: “The viruses that cause SARS-CoV-2, Covid-19 do all the same viruses. Such changes are perfectly expected.

“In the UK, we have a very detailed genetic assessment of many of the virus strains detected. Matt Hancock’s announcement suggests that certain variants have been detected, especially in southern England.

“A small change in the genetic makeup of a virus does not mean that it is no longer virulent or that the vaccine is not effective. Previous experience with similar viruses shows that the vaccine is effective. Small genetic changes despite being targeted. “

Dr. Zania Stamataki, a viral immunologist at the University of Birmingham, added: Mutations accumulate and result in new viral variants that are urged to change or disappear by our own immune system.

“The virus doesn’t mutate as fast as the flu and needs to be monitored, but updating a new vaccine when needed in the future is not a big task. This year, we’ll be dealing with this coronavirus. Significant progress has been made in building the infrastructure for the virus. “

However, Professor Nick Roman of the University of Birmingham said the new variant was “concerned.” This is because there appear to be changes in the spiked protein that are “strongly associated” with the high-growth areas and feel “quite likely” to affect the virus. motion.